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Evidence for a liquid silicate layer atop the Martian core

Space Sciences

Evidence for a liquid silicate layer atop the Martian core

A. Khan, D. Huang, et al.

New insights from the InSight mission reveal a lighter Martian core, suggesting the presence of light elements and proposing a molten silicate layer above a denser core. This groundbreaking research by A. Khan, D. Huang, C. Durán, P. A. Sossi, D. Giardini, and M. Murakami aligns geophysical and cosmochemical data to reshape our understanding of Mars.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
Seismic data from the InSight mission suggests a Martian core significantly lighter than pure liquid iron, implying substantial light elements. However, this conflicts with cosmochemical constraints on volatile element availability. This paper proposes a molten silicate layer overlying a smaller, denser liquid core. Inversion of seismic data reveals a core radius of 1,675 ± 30 km and density of 6.65 ± 0.1 g cm⁻³, with a 150 ± 15 km thick silicate layer (density 4.05 ± 0.05 g cm⁻³). This model reconciles geophysical and cosmochemical data, suggesting a core with 85-91 wt% iron-nickel and 9-15 wt% light elements.
Publisher
Nature
Published On
Oct 26, 2023
Authors
A. Khan, D. Huang, C. Durán, P. A. Sossi, D. Giardini, M. Murakami
Tags
Martian core
seismic data
light elements
molten silicate layer
geophysical data
cosmochemical constraints
iron-nickel
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